Visiting Recoleta Cemetery
Opened in 1822, Recoleta Cemetery takes its name from the former Convento de la Recoleta (a Franciscan friary) located in the immediate vicinity. The primary draw of this site is its unique layout. Designed like a miniature city, the cemetery houses more than 4,000 tombs spread across 54,000 square meters. As you walk among the headstones, you will notice how meticulously maintained every single one remains. Anyone looking closely will also appreciate the massive variety of architectural styles that distinguish each tomb. United in death, several eras sit side by side in this large open-air space. At Recoleta, Art Deco meets Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Neo-Gothic styles. It is an architectural cocktail that surprises visitors and encourages them to learn more about the deep history of Buenos Aires.
A Different Perspective on History
Visiting Recoleta Cemetery offers a unique angle on the story of Argentina. Not far from the magnificent mausoleum of the Leloir family, French immigrants who left a mark on the history of the country, you will find the mysterious tomb of the caretaker Alleno with its life-size statues. The tomb of Evita Perón is, without question, the most visited spot in the cemetery. People travel from all over the world to see the final resting place of the late icon of the Argentine people. Furthermore, specialized guides can point you toward sectors much less known to the general public. This provides a broad panorama of this unusual museum that skillfully blends history and the afterlife.
Opening hours
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If there is one cemetery to "visit" in the world, it is definitely this one, or maybe Pere Lachaise in Paris. Almost all of Argentina's history can be found here through the famous names that shaped the Argentina of today.